A Shift in Identity

     It started with a casual walk to the convenience store.
Midoriya, still adjusting to her life as a girl, had ventured out to buy snacks. Her hoodie was oversized, her pajama pants a little too long, and her flip-flops made that awkward flapping noise with every step. It was a picture of domestic peace, really. One that shouldn’t have ended in chaos.
She hummed quietly as she browsed the aisle of instant noodles, grabbing a few of her favorite spicy kinds. She was just about to head to the drink cooler when she felt it—a presence behind her.
“Spicy noodles, huh? Bold choice.”
Midoriya froze.
That voice.
She turned slowly and nearly dropped the ramen.
“Shigaraki?!” she whisper-hissed.
The villain in question stood there, looking like he’d just walked out of a shady anime fan forum. Hoodie, scruffy hair, tired eyes… and a grocery basket filled with energy drinks and Pocky.
“Hey,” he said simply. “You’re hard to find.”
Midoriya quickly scanned the store—no other customers in sight. The cashier was distracted by a video on his phone.
“You’re following me now?” she demanded, though not nearly as scared as she probably should have been.
Shigaraki shrugged. “Not following. Coincidence.”
“You don't do coincidence.”
“Okay, maybe semi-intentional loitering,” he admitted, scratching his neck. “Look, I just wanted to talk.”
Midoriya narrowed her eyes. “About what?”
“You,” he said, dropping his voice to a sincere tone that caught her off guard. “You looked different the other day. Not just physically. Emotionally. Something in you cracked. And I know that look. I’ve seen it in the mirror.”
Midoriya’s defenses faltered slightly.
“I just wanted to see if you were okay. That’s all.”
Before she could reply, a distant but familiar voice called, “Izuku! Did you find the instant miso?”
Midoriya groaned and turned toward the aisle. “I’m here, Dadzawa!”
Shigaraki blinked. “Wait. You’re with Aizawa?”
“Temporarily,” she muttered, dragging her hand down her face. “Please don’t make this weirder.”
“Too late,” Shigaraki said, smirking.
A moment later, Aizawa appeared at the end of the aisle, squinting at the figure standing near Midoriya. The moment his eyes recognized the mop of white hair, his hand subtly moved to his capture scarf.
“Midoriya,” he said flatly, “behind me. Now.”
“Wait!” Midoriya darted in front of Shigaraki. “He hasn’t done anything! We were just talking!”
Yamada appeared seconds later, holding a shopping basket full of produce and granola bars. “Why is there a villain in front of the fruit snacks?!”
“I was buying snacks!” Shigaraki called defensively.
“You’re buying a restraining order,” Yamada snapped.
A small crowd started to form at the edge of the aisle, watching with confused amusement.
Midoriya sighed, standing between the dads and the villain. “He was being genuine. He just wanted to check in on me. Nothing happened.”
Aizawa's eyes remained locked on Shigaraki, but he relaxed slightly. “If you’re lying…”
“You’ll wrap me up like a burrito, yeah, I got it,” Shigaraki muttered.

Later, Back at the Apartment:
Kaminari stared in horror as Midoriya recounted what happened at the store. “You just casually ran into Shigaraki while buying ramen?!”
“I wouldn’t call it casual,” she muttered, nursing a cup of tea.
Todoroki blinked. “Did he say anything romantic?”
“No!” she said, flushing.
“Yet,” added Hawks, who had apparently just flown in through the window. “I heard we’re still holding the Dekubowl?”
Midoriya groaned into her tea. “Someone end me.”
Yamada patted her head. “Sorry, kiddo. Once you accidentally adopt five suitors, you have to ride the chaos wave.”
Aizawa handed her a blanket and flopped onto the couch beside her. “Next time you want to get snacks, I’m coming with you.”
“You were with me!”
“Then clearly I need to be faster.”
They all laughed, and despite everything, the warmth settled in her chest.
Even with villains lurking, identity crises, and an absurd amount of attention… she had a family.
And that made all the difference.

To be continued…